Ibiza City Council is set to begin construction of the city's first publicly owned outdoor escalators, a long-awaited mobility project designed to make it easier to move between the upper and lower parts of Puig des Molins.

The works on Calle Juan Ramón Jiménez are scheduled to begin on September 15, 2026, following years of planning and delays. The project is being financed through the Balearic Islands' Sustainable Tourism Tax, commonly known as the ecotasa.

Three Escalator Sections Along Calle Juan Ramón Jiménez

The project will replace the existing series of stone steps on a 42.18-metre section of Calle Juan Ramón Jiménez with three outdoor escalator sections.

The area has a gradient of around 24.4%, creating a significant pedestrian challenge between Arxiduc Lluís Salvador and the surrounding streets. The new escalators will operate at 0.5 metres per second and are designed to transport up to 6,000 people per hour.

The escalators will have a one-metre clear width, silver-coloured cast aluminium steps, 10-millimetre safety glass balustrades and black rubber handrails supported by stainless-steel guides. Stainless-steel AISI 316 skirting elements will also be incorporated into the installation.

Three existing entrances to private homes along the route will be integrated into the new layout.

More Than €1 Million Investment

The contract was awarded to Vilor Infraestructuras in September 2025 following a tender in which two companies submitted bids. The approved contract value is €827,580.31 before VAT, rising to €1,001,372.18 including 21% VAT.

A further €15,020.58 has been reserved for archaeological heritage protection, reflecting the historical sensitivity of the area.

The official Sustainable Tourism Tax programme lists the project under reference ITS2425-095 and records €1,001,372 in funding. The project is currently classified as being under execution.

A Project Years in the Making

The escalators are the result of a project that dates back to the City Council's citizen participation programme.

An initial project was commissioned in 2018 to address the steep connection between the upper and lower sections of Arxiduc Lluís Salvador. The original proposal was subsequently reduced after the cost of relocating a medium-voltage electricity line made the first version significantly more expensive.

The final scheme focuses on the section along Calle Juan Ramón Jiménez.

Located Beside the Puig des Molins Archaeological Area

The location adds an important heritage dimension to the project.

Part of the route falls within the protected archaeological area of Puig des Molins, while the remainder is within the historic complex of Ibiza, which has protected status. The works therefore require archaeological monitoring and heritage oversight during construction.

The improved pedestrian connection is also intended to make access easier between the area around the Puig des Molins archaeological site, its museum and the wider city.

Traffic Restrictions From September 15

Construction will also bring temporary changes for motorists.

From 6:30am on September 15, Calle Arxiduc Lluís Salvador will be closed to traffic at the junction with Via Romana. Temporary diversions, changes to traffic directions and parking restrictions will be introduced while the works are carried out.

The City Council is asking drivers to follow the temporary signage and instructions from construction staff and the Local Police.

Six-and-a-Half Months of Construction

The planned construction period is approximately six and a half months, with the programme including an initial period for installation planning and a final stage dedicated to testing and legalisation before the escalators enter service.

Once completed, the project will introduce a new piece of public pedestrian infrastructure to Ibiza and aims to make one of the city's steepest urban connections considerably easier to navigate.

For residents, the project finally brings to reality a mobility proposal that has been discussed for years. For visitors, it will also provide a more accessible connection through one of Ibiza Town's most historically important areas.